California Dreamin MK2

[ka1tdq]

In fact, how’s this for design/chill time?

I guess 600 still beats out a 3-500 for plate dissipation. I looked at Ameritron AL-30b’s but they just use a side mounted muffin fan with a homemade tube socket. Google it, it’s very cheesy.

Jon

[ua3ral]

vk3alk

рад за Вас. Удачи

[vk3alk]

Thank you...


Wayne

[vk3alk]

Since Jon has now decided on a 200 Watt carrier level 40M TX have tested this Module with modulation and are happy with its performance....
Was going to make another module but have changed my mind as have too many things hanging around....
But for 200 Watts will need another power transformer which have ordered and are waiting for delivery...
Although I have a 40M TX its good to have a spare I suppose....
Have just enough aluminium to make a case which is lucky as all stores are closed here due to this Covid19 thing.... 


Wayne

[ka1tdq]

Actually Wayne, things have really gotten way out of hand. I'm now building a hybrid Class E / 4-1000 class C design. Thermionic emissions and drain currents everywhere! And carrier levels to tax the California power grid.

Wreak havoc!

jon

[vk3alk]

Thats Ok I don't mind...

Quite excited really should be interesting......

Have you got that parcel yet ?   should be getting closer by now.....

Will also post some pictures of the 40M TX as its near completion....


Wayne

[ka1tdq]

Yes, in fact here is the backyard with the 75 meter dipole installed. I’m at a higher elevation with better soil and a higher antenna here than in Arizona. I’m still putting the shack together right now.

Jon
 

[vk3alk]

Things with this 40M 200 watt carrier level are coming along slowly but getting there....
The picture shows a regulator board and at the rear the PWM....
Testing is only at the 100 watt level with audio applied to the Modulator...

The labelling of the meters has been done with the meter program from http://www.tonnesoftware.com/ ...

The TX module has been tested and works so all should be Ok when installed into the case...

Will post other photos soon...


Wayne

[N4LTA]

Nice looking rig Wayne!

Pat

[Opcom]

In fact, how’s this for design/chill time?

I guess 600 still beats out a 3-500 for plate dissipation. I looked at Ameritron AL-30b’s but they just use a side mounted muffin fan with a homemade tube socket. Google it, it’s very cheesy.

Jon

I don't seem to find the AL-30 model. LOL no amusement for me..

[vk3alk]

Just another boring photo.....

Nearly there .... transmitter working but only testing at appox 100 watts of carrier....
Haven't done any Sinewave or Triangle wave tests as yet just music audio....
Are more then happy with the audio quality....
Been running for appox 1.5 hours and the hottest things are the FB1020-43 type ferrite cores in the TX output at 43 degrees C ...
At 200 watts may need a fan on top 
Installed an extra Heat Sink on the PWM assembly .....

The SWR bridge will be the last.....


Wayne

[vk3alk]

I have some good news and not so good news....

The not so good news is that I cannot fully modulate the TX at 200 watts carrier only up to 180 watts unfortunately ...
The reason is too high a load resistance for my power supply and ran out of headroom ....
A slightly lower loading would be great but changing the turns ratio using the FB1020-43 cores creates too bigger jump etc: and efficiency drops....
But the good news is it works great at 180 watts and the audio sounds very nice.....

So I suppose that's a fail...

The only thing left now is aligning the SWR/Power meter and installing....
Had to use a fan above the output transformer and the temperature now seems stable at 35 degrees C....

Actually are very happy with the outcome....

Ohhh the fan is spinning just the camera speed etc:


Wayne

[vk3alk]

California Dreaming MK2 was just a bit of fun with Jon but looks like a new Transmitter has been born...

Its all finished and goes well.....
May put some dial lights behind the meters but most of the time I operate on 40M is during the day...

Labelling of the controls I might do a bit later perhaps...

The Meter labelling is better then what it looks .... the flash lightens it etc:


Wayne

[vk3alk]

If your wondering why there is so much available room in the RF section I have plans to replace that existing module with 2 H Bridge units into a Combiner made as small as possible...
Will experiment also using much smaller cores in the combiner as well....

Will post results as time goes by......


Wayne